A group of Nebraska Army National Guard members who helped combat the Colorado wildfires said they're ready and willing to go back.

The members spent 10 days in a Blackhawk helicopter dousing thousands of gallons of water on the flames.

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Chief Warrant Officer David Flores said the experience was unforgettable.

"The smoke is pretty intense, and you can feel the heat once you get close to the flames," he said.

The guardsmen were able to see the destruction firsthand.

"You'd come into the neighborhood and see four or five houses flattened next to houses that were left untouched and scorched cars everywhere," Flores said.

Flores and his crew worked 18-hour days trying to maintain the fires to a certain line and keep firefighters on the ground safe. Their helicopter's Bambi Buckets would drop 500 gallons of water at a time, Flores said.

For Sgt. James Nordman, the disaster hits close to home.

"My cousin's house was just destroyed by the Springs fire, and (my) aunt and uncle's house is getting close," Nordman said. "They are on the evacuation standby list."

The soldiers said they were happy to help.

Last year, it was Colorado helicopters that came to the rescue in Nebraska for flood relief. Flores and his fellow crew members said they are willing to return again if needed.